" "Yes, I've heard you live at Mentone with your aunt--I think-- Madame Stahl: I used to know her _belle-soeur_.

" "No, she's not my aunt.

I call her mamma, but I am not related to her; I was brought up by her," answered Varenka, flushing a little again.

This was so simply said, and so sweet was the truthful and candid expression of her face, that the princess saw why Kitty had taken such a fancy to Varenka.